Waugh - Flintoff is crucial

Waugh: Impressed by Australia's new stars

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Former Australia captain Steve Waugh believes it will be "very hard" for England to regain the Ashes without Andrew Flintoff in their side.

The Lancashire all-rounder is currently recovering from a side strain that forced him to miss the 2-0 Test series victory over New Zealand on home soil.

The injury was an untimely setback for Flintoff - such a key player in the 2-1 series victory over the Australians back in 2005 - after he had looked to be recovering well from a fourth operation on his troublesome ankle.

Despite their success against the Kiwis, Waugh is in no doubt that England need their talisman fit for next summer if they are to get their hands on the miniature urn again.

He also feels that the return of paceman Simon Jones, who has not played for England since the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge nearly three years ago, could be a key factor.

Very hard

"It'll be very hard for England to win without him (Flintoff)," Waugh told the Wisden Cricketer magazine.

"When he's there he's got a certain aura about him. Simon Jones is the other one that England need to get back in the fold as soon as they can."

Even with Flintoff and Jones available Waugh believes England face a tough task against an Australia side he insists is still formidable, despite key players retiring.

While the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne may no longer be around, the 43-year-old feels it is a sign of the strength in depth in Australian cricket that new players have quickly stepped in to plug the gaps.

"The replacements are excellent and there seems to be players that are willing to come in and do it straight away," Waugh said.

"Mitchell Johnson came along last year, Brett Lee stepped up and there's Stuart Clark. I still think we're a very formidable side."